Using Electric Guitar Strings on a 000-18 Martin

[watchingfool]

I recently took my OM-28V to a Martin authorized luthier to fix the loosening binding issue on my guitar. I also had him change strings. The strings I included in the case for him to use were Elixir nickel plated steel Optiweb coated mediums, 11-49. It was a mistake on my part, which I realized right before I picked up my guitar. I asked him how big a mistake this was. He kind of chuckled and said he was wondering why I included these strings, but said folks do use electric guitar strings on acoustics, that I could use them or take them off and later put them on my Strat when I needed to change strings. So the past few days, I've been playing it, and actually don't mind them. I kind of like them.

So do any of you use electric guitar strings on your acoustics??

[Rockysdad]

I’m curious as to the difference *you* notice?

[Jimi2]

I did this a few times in my college days when I had limited funds/access to strings. I too kind of liked the sound- kind of metallic, and very different from the usual acoustic string sound.

[Rootwitch]

Michael Hedges used electric strings on his guitars, I believe. I tried it once and found the sound lacking, but he clearly made it work!

[L50EF15]

Always. I use D’Addaario Chromes on everything.

[Hexcore]

Generally, you'll get less volume and duller tone with electric strings on an acoustic. That used to be the kiss of death, but for someone playing miked or amplified, there are all kinds of ways to play with volume and tone without relying on strings to cause the result you want. Also, for someone playing quietly at home, or composing, or even playing "underneath" a vocal, having a strong, projecting guitar can be undesirable. And as for tones, there's little emphasis on any "correct" or "best" tonality now. Personally, I think electric strings deliver a dull and uninspiring, inexpressive tone, but that's just me.

[watchingfool]

Originally Posted by Rockysdad

I’m curious as to the difference *you* notice?

As Jimi2 said, it sounds a bit metallic to me, less bottom end. I’m imagining it kind of sounds like a Taylor would, but I’ve never played one so I’m just going on what I’ve read here. I’m not real good at discerning the nuances or descriptions of sound, as I am just an old guy with a few guitars. And it’s an OM-28V, so it’s sounding pretty loud, as I’ve been playing my 000-18 most of the time lately. But the 000-18 is now getting its binding issues fixed.

[fpuhan]

I remember when I got my first new guitar in 1971. It was an acoustic 12-string. Since it was my only guitar and I had only been playing for a few years, I experimented with different strings and different setups. A nice, fast ebony fingerboard enticed me often to just put six strings on it. Using electric guitar strings enabled me to learn to play faster, and since I was pretty much playing solo in a dorm room, I didn't care about volume or tone as much as I did technique.

I'd probably not do that today, but it did help my skill set.

[eyesore]

What gauge are they?

[watchingfool]

Originally Posted by eyesore

What gauge are they?

Elixir nickel plated steel Optiweb coated mediums, 11-49

[watchingfool]

End of story - I'm switching back to Elixir acoustic lights!!!

[Cri75!]

I use the Thomastik js112 flat wound on my Eastman 00.
I love them. It's tone now has a flavor of classical guitar.

[Thumb]

Originally Posted by watchingfool

I recently took my OM-28V to a Martin authorized luthier to fix the loosening binding issue on my guitar. I also had him change strings. The strings I included in the case for him to use were Elixir nickel plated steel Optiweb coated mediums, 11-49. It was a mistake on my part, which I realized right before I picked up my guitar. I asked him how big a mistake this was. He kind of chuckled and said he was wondering why I included these strings, but said folks do use electric guitar strings on acoustics, that I could use them or take them off and later put them on my Strat when I needed to change strings. So the past few days, I've been playing it, and actually don't mind them. I kind of like them.

So do any of you use electric guitar strings on your acoustics??

FWIW...
Initial , because of arthritis issues I tried the nano 11-49 on both my Breedlove acoustic concert and Taylor 412ce.
I appreciated the play ability, ease of chording and the sound is very good on my guitars.
I did need to tweak the pickup settings for these strings, but no big deal at all.

I also tried these strings on my 1998 Taylor 614ce...this guitar did not like those strings at all...after a few days, I replaced the electric 11-49s with D'Addarrio XS 11-52 and my 614 is very happy again..

[FrankHudson]

I played electric 12-string sets some on my old all-laminated Cortez 12-string. soon after I got it I bought a DeArmond soundhole magnetic pickup (the classic model much used before the early 70s or so. It sounded OK unplugged best as I can remember, but no better than that -- then pretty good through a clean Fender electric amp.

We're accustomed to the phosphor bronze acoustic sets these days, and many like their warmth with more overtones sound, and even 80/20 has some of that overtone flavor on a brighter sounding wrap. A more fundamental tone than those is different -- not necessarily inferior, just not what some want and many expect. Monel (e.g. Martin Retro) displays some of that tone. Retro strings aren't just nickel-plated steel wraps on the wound strings, Monel is a nickel alloy used for the wrap wire (not just a thin plating,)

Of course the B and high E of your particular set were the same as typical "custom light" acoustic set and will play and sound the same.

[DavidE]

An acoustic without a wound g string just doesn’t sound right to me.